GAC09020
May 15, 2009

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance honored by National Voluntary Organizations active in disaster

PDA’s establishment of volunteer housing and toll-free number cited as “outstanding example”

Contact:
Susan Lindsey, (502) 569-5060

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA), the emergency and refugee program of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has been honored with the National 2009 “Member of the Year” award by National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD).

PDA has been a member organization of NVOAD for many years.

Randy Ackley, coordinator for PDA added, “It’s a true honor to receive this award, especially coming from NVOAD, a highly regarded organization.”

PDA staff member John Robinson credits the work of the General Assembly Council’s Shared Services staff as being critical to receiving the award. PDA will be honored at an awards banquet held during the annual NVOAD conference in Salt Lake City the week of May 18.

PDA focuses on the long-term recovery of communities impacted by disaster, and works collaboratively with local and international partners — including the United Nations, Red Cross, World Food Program and the Federal Emergency Management Agency – to respond effectively to a range of disasters. PDA has been heavily involved in responding to disasters such as California wildfires, Hurricane Katrina, Midwest floods, the Myanmar cyclone and the 2004 tsunami.

NVOAD is a national coordinating body for major community-based and faith-based disaster response organizations. Member organizations focus on all stages of disaster: preparedness, relief, response, recovery and mitigation. They are the driving force behind disaster recovery in the U.S.

For more information, visit the PDA and NVOAD Web site.